Cruising is back! If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know we went on a fantastic Celebrity cruise on the Reflection sailing the Eastern Med last month. We loved each port of call and were blown away by the history and scenic views. I didn’t really know what to expect since cruising resumed.
Overall experience and service
The staff on Reflection looked happy to be back sailing again and welcoming new cruisers. There were plenty of places to sit, relax and enjoy the cruise without being overcrowded. The ship was only 40% occupied, so now is the perfect time for cruising.
Every day, our cabin room was kept clean and well-organized. We got chocolates placed on our pillows and turn-down service in the evening.
Another example of personalized service that we received was the bar staff remembering your special drinks in the Ensemble Lounge.
Our Stateroom
We stayed in a veranda suite with a balcony on the 8th deck facing the port side. Our stateroom was spacious enough for two people, but I couldn’t imagine sharing with more. Two twin beds were combined into one king bed. There was plenty of storage in the closet, above the bed, and extra in the counter area.
The water was mostly pretty calm except for our last sea day. On this particular day, the waves were about 3 meters high but not significant to cause seasickness. Watching the midnight stars from our balcony was one of our favorite things to do.
Reflection dining onboard
There were a lot of options for dining onboard, from the specialty dining restaurants to the main dining Opus to the Oceanview Cafe (buffet) located at the back of the ship. The main dining Opus Restaurant served a traditional menu with choices for appetizers, main course, and desserts! Here, we ate only two meals because we wanted to be casual and not wear pants or a dress some nights.
With our onboard credits, I purchased a 4-night specialty dining package before sailing. We tried Le Petite Chef the first night, an animation presentation. Our second experience was the Tuscan Grille. I can’t say my husband was impressed with their steak, but they did invite us back for another try after mentioning this. The second time was a charm, so don’t be afraid to speak up.
Other restaurants we tried were The Porch and The Lawn Club Grill. The Lawn Club would typically have you interact with the chef receiving grilling tips. But not everything is back to normal in cruising yet. Do order more appetizers if you plan on ordering the seafood tower. I think it’s not enough for two people who love seafood.
Activities and events
There is plenty of activities during the day, including the spa, two outdoor & one indoor pool with two jacuzzies, bocce, and lawn bowling. The theater at the front of the ship on deck 3 had nightly shows at 7 & 9 pm. We did enjoy the live entertainment one evening with fantastic singing and dancing.
Our favorite bars for an evening cocktail were the Martini Bar and Sunset bar. The staff at the Martini Bar mixed up a great Grey Goose martini and always had my Reisling wine nice and cool.
For a quieter time, check out the Ensemble Lounge on deck 5. They had all sorts of entertainers playing musical instruments, from guitars to violins.
Towards the end of the cruise, we were invited as Captain’s Club members to join them for a thank-you cocktail. This area would generally be off-limits because it’s where the helicopter would land in an emergency.
Tour days
Dubrovnik
Each day we ventured off the ship to explore a new destination. Our first stop was in Dubrovnik, known for its distinctive old town. We visited Fort Lovrijenac and walked along the 13th-century stone city walls.
Kotor
Next was Kotor in Montenegro, a UNESCO site where we explored the old town and hiked halfway up the mountain to an old church. The viewpoints of the port were breathtaking, but it was not an easy climb, as I never made it to the top.
Corfu
Corfu port was busy with four cruise ships. Our day began with a walk to the old town, exploring the old fortress, and finishing lunch by the sea. Many people were swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise waters below.
Pro tip: wear water shoes as there are many sea urchins visible on the rocks
Olympia
Our first temples of discovery were at Olympia in Greece. The archaeological site was impressive- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience ancient Greek ruins. We used the ship transfer-only service, which was $49 each for 4 hours. Entrance fees are not included, but luck was on our side as it was National Museum Day.
Messina
Our second to last stop was in Messina, Sicily. Here, we took a guided excursion to Taormina to see the castle ruins and ancient theatre in Messina. The theatre is a must-see that is still used today for performances. Seats range from 50 to 150 euros each.
Florence/Pisa
Lastly, we did a pre-booked tour of Taste of Sorrento and Pompeii with Celebrity. Our guide was very knowledgeable about Pompeii. Pro tip: visit Pompeii after 1:30 pm because there’s a nice breeze. In the morning, it can be pretty hot.
Reach out if you’d like us to help plan your next cruise.